Hundreds of Norwegians and Russians arrived in the first week of February in the town of Kirkenes on the Russian-Norway border to see the spectacular installations, to visit unusual exhibitions and to speculate about the future of the Arctic territories at the international art festival Barents Spektakel.

Cross-border cooperation of journalists on northern latitude

Jul 5, 2010

In the north of Karelia cross-border relations of Louhsky area and Finnish sister-community of Kuusamo are well developed. It is promoted by the international customs check point of Suoperä. Journalists on either side of the border can meet and work together.

Correspondents of the regional newspaper "Pripolarye" (Karelia) and newspapers «Koillissanomat» (Finland) have developed professional and friendly contacts. Colleagues have possibility in common to cover actions of the sister-relations program of Louhsky area and the community of Kuusamo.

Finnish journalists from Kuusamo in the visit-centre of the national part Paanajarvi.

Finnish press photographer Mikko Häme is a frequent visitor in our parts. His picture stories and materials from Louhsky area tell readers of «Koillissanomat» about football matches and the national park Paanajarvi, about delphinarium by the White sea (in the diving centre in pomor village Nilmoguba). He does not forget to visit colleagues from the Louhsky municipal newspaper "Pripoljare". For me Mikko Hjame is a top-class professional and a good friend of mine who is always ready to help with a good piece of advice.

Valery Bekhterev and Mikko Häme at the Paanajarvi lake in the national park.

Within the cross-border relations Finnish and Karelian journalists agreed to participate in the long-term project «Paths of northern Karelians». These are series of journalistic materials about the life of Karelian people, their national culture and family traditions.

Excursion with a group of Finnish colleagues on the viking boat «Nadezhda» on the Paanajarvi lake.

Among things to tell about are history of northern national settlements of Saami and Karelians on the coast of the White Sea, ancient Karelian sports and competitions, ethnic cuisine of northern Karelians etc.